"

Camp Lake Fire
  |  First Published: April 2012



Maroon Dam is the picture-perfect getaway spot for the family. It’s situated within scenic rugged country and offers an array of activities for everyone. And nestled high above the picturesque waters on the southeast corner is Camp Lake Fire – a bush retreat that will set your heart a blaze.

Maroon Dam is halfway between Rathdowny and Boonah and is renowned for its Australian bass and other native fish. Its remote location and small size offer anglers an array of species and fishing opportunities.

Likewise, there is plenty to offer the whole family. There are supervised sports tuition on and off the water for youngsters, and serene views of breath-taking wildlife for the young at heart.

Getting there

Camp Lake Fire is situated at 664 Burnett Creek Road, Maroon. To get there approach Burnett Creek Road after travelling through either Boonah or from Rathdowney when heading to Boonah. The Boonah turnoff from the Cunningham Highway when coming from Brisbane is at Yamanto, the Rathdowney turnoff is south of Beaudesert on the Mt Lindsay Highway when travelling from the Gold Coast.

Burnett Creek Road is thoroughly rural, so watch for roos and cattle, and remember that 664 is a few kilometres along the road.

campground

Sporting scenic views of the lake and surrounds, the 25Ha campground is set into the trees and sprawls westward along a peninsula with water on three sides.

Camping sites are offered with spectacular views at the higher section or down next to the water for a quick fishing getaway. All sites are unpowered and there are no toilets or showers down by the lake – you will need to come up to the higher area to use the facilities.

Camp Lake Fire is also the perfect place for the novice camper. Many people would like to try camping but are reluctant to purchase expensive equipment. After all, selling the gear on eBay after a failed attempt at camping will only end in dollars down the drain. However, at the campgrounds you can hire tents, air mattresses and stretcher beds at a very modest cost. Sleeping bags and other bedding should be brought along to suit the season.

Each campsite has its own fire ring and I have a hunch that surrounded by the ambience of the Australian bush, and sport manager Steve’s wood fired pizza oven in the camp kitchen, the experience could well be the start of a new way of holidaying.

Pets are allowed at Camp Lake Fire, which means Fido can come along so long as a few rules are obeyed.

At the camp office, managers Dean and Sarah will do whatever they can to make visitors comfortable right from the outset. There’s also a shop attached that offers ice, tackle, drinks and other essential items.

Children’s Activities

Children will find plenty to do at Camp Lake Fire. Sports tuition is a specialty of the camp and a well organised and fully supervised program is in place.

Water-based activities include canoeing, kayaking, raft building, and fishing from one of many electric powered boats on offer, which are ideal for catching a feed or setting some traps for the lake’s resident red claw. Land-based fun includes rock climbing, the milk crate climb, archery and team building activities.

On site cabins

If camping is not for you then there are four rustic cabins on site. Designed to use in conjunction with the cabins is a spacious and well set up indoor dining and conference area. There’s also an annexe right next to the kitchen that will accommodate a larger group or club.

Whether staying at the annexe or in one of the cabins it’s necessary to provide your own bedding, sleeping bag, toiletries, towels and tucker.

These cabins are advertised as simple bush cabins. They are somewhat sparse but provide excellent shelter and sufficient comfort for up to eight people. They have fabulous views of the lake to the north and are located handily next to the kitchen and not far from amenities with their hot showers.

fishing

Maroon Dam has an enviable record of reliability for its bass fishing but you will need a Stocked Impoundment Permit.

You wont need to go far to find a fish as any weed bed will have bass lurking around. All that’s necessary to put a bend in a rod is to cast a small lure, plastic or fly adjacent to the weed bed, let it sink and start the retrieve. Light line around 3kg mono or braid will be ideal.

Children regularly catch bass right at Camp Lake Fire’s boat launching area – it’s that simple. The best times are early morning or late afternoon but these fish can bite all day.

Contact details are via phone on (07) 5463 6121 or email on --e-mail address hidden--

Reads: 6840

Matched Content ... powered by Google




Latest Articles




Fishing Monthly Magazines On Instagram

Digital Editions

Read Digital Editions

Current Magazine - Editorial Content

Western Australia Fishing Monthly
Victoria Fishing Monthly
Queensland Fishing Monthly